Spanish authorities have opened an investigation into Islamophobic and xenophobic chants heard during Tuesday’s international friendly between Spain and Egypt, prompting strong condemnation from football officials and government representatives.
The incident occurred at the RCDE Stadium, home of RCD Espanyol, where sections of the crowd reportedly chanted discriminatory slogans, including “who doesn’t jump is a Muslim,” during the World Cup warm-up fixture, which ended 0–0.
Spain’s Justice Minister, Félix Bolaños, strongly condemned the behaviour on the social media platform X, linking such incidents to a broader rise in far-right extremism and associated intolerance.
“Racist insults and chants shame us as a society. The far right seeks to spread hatred, and silence in the face of such actions amounts to complicity,” he stated.
The episode once again underscores persistent concerns around racism in Spanish football, an issue that has gained international attention in recent years, particularly in cases involving Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid, who has been subjected to repeated abuse.
Despite in-stadium warnings displayed on screens highlighting that acts of racism and xenophobia constitute criminal offences, the chanting reportedly continued.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behaviour, emphasizing that such actions are not reflective of the sport.
“These individuals do not represent football. They exploit the platform the game provides, as they do in other areas of society. It is essential that they are isolated,” he said.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation also issued a statement reaffirming its opposition to racism and condemning all forms of violence within stadiums.
Meanwhile, Catalonia’s regional police force, Mossos d'Esquadra, confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched, though further details have not yet been disclosed.
